France striker Kylian Mbappe said winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup matters more than breaking Lionel Messi’s scoring record. Although he continues closing the gap, Mbappe insisted lifting the trophy remains his ultimate objective.
The 27-year-old scored twice as France defeated Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32. As a result, he reached 18 World Cup goals in 18 appearances, leaving him one behind Messi’s all-time record of 19.
Mbappe also moved level with Messi at the top of the tournament’s scoring charts with six goals. Nevertheless, he said individual achievements remain secondary to France’s World Cup ambitions.
Mbappe Focuses on Final Instead of Records
Speaking after the victory, Mbappe said France wants to reach the World Cup final on July 19 in New York. Furthermore, he believes Messi will likely add more goals during the tournament.
Therefore, Mbappe said he prefers concentrating on upcoming opponents rather than chasing personal milestones. He stressed that helping France win the title remains far more important than topping the scoring charts.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi will face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday. Meanwhile, France will meet Paraguay for a place in the quarter-finals.
France Preparing Carefully for Paraguay Challenge
Mbappe warned that France would not underestimate Paraguay despite entering the match as favourites. He noted that the South American side eliminated Germany after a disciplined defensive display and a penalty shootout.
Moreover, Mbappe said France still has areas requiring improvement before the next match. However, he praised his team’s attacking strength, adding that their scoring ability always gives them a chance to take control of games.
France could face either Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals if they overcome Paraguay.
